JP2010536661A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (25)

A hull having a sliding surface that contacts the water when the amphibious vehicle slides on the water;
An amphibious vehicle for use on land and water, comprising at least one retractable suspension device movable from a vehicle support position to a retracted position,
An upper and lower suspension, wherein the retractable suspension device is pivotally connected to a support structure in the hull at an inboard side end portion and pivotally connected to a suspension upright at an outboard side end portion for each wheel. The upper suspension arm is pivotally connected to the suspension upright by a first upper pivot connecting portion, and the lower suspension arm is pivotally connected to the suspension upright by a second lower pivot connecting portion. ,
The suspension upright extends from the second connecting portion to a wheel hub mounting position in a direction away from the first connecting portion, and the wheel hub is separated from the first and second pivot connecting portions at the mounting position. At the position is attached to the suspension upright so as to be rotatable,
When the suspension upright is deployed during land use, it extends across the side of the hull to the outside of the hull,
An amphibious vehicle in which the lower suspension arm is maintained above the top of the planing surface throughout the use of the amphibious vehicle on land.   The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the suspension arm extends from the hull beyond the outer edge of the hull.   The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wheel hub is located at a distance at least equivalent to a distance between the first and second connecting portions from the second connecting portion.   The amphibious vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub is located at least about 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, or 20 cm away from the second coupling portion.   The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wheel hub is rotatably attached to the suspension upright at a far end of the suspension upright.   The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wheel hub is driven to rotate by a transmission relay drive from a motor of the amphibious vehicle.   The transmission has a step-down drive section where driving force is inherited from the lower pivot connection or above and relayed to a driven wheel hub along or parallel to the suspension upright; The amphibious vehicle according to claim 6.   The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wheel hub is driven by a hub motor.   The amphibious vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the hub motor is a hydraulic motor.   The amphibious vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the hub motor is an electric motor.   The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hull is a V-shaped hull.   The amphibious vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising a spring and damper assembly connected between one of the suspension arms and the support structure.   The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an extendable actuator operable to move the retractable suspension device from the vehicle support position to the retracted position.   The amphibious vehicle of claim 13, wherein the actuator is also operable to change ground clearance.   The support structure includes a rotatable support arm having one end rotatably attached to a fixed portion of the support structure, the actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm, and the actuator supports the one end of the support structure. The other end is pivotally connected to the arm, and the other end is pivotally connected to the fixed portion of the support structure. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 13 or 14, connected. A vehicle body including a hull portion, wherein the at least one retractable suspension device is connected to the vehicle body so that the at least one retractable suspension device is located outside the hull portion at a vehicle support position. An elongated suspension upright is provided from above the sliding surface so that it is not necessary to provide notches and / or discontinuities in the sliding surface to accommodate the at least one retractable suspension device in position and vehicle support position. The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which extends to a wheel mount position . The amphibious vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the at least one retractable suspension device is connected to the vehicle body on the hull portion . The amphibious vehicle according to claim 16 or 17 , wherein the sliding surface can be in direct contact with water when used on water . A vehicle body including a hull portion that does not include a notch, an irregular shape, or a discontinuity in the hull's sliding surface, which has an effect of adversely changing the hydrodynamics of the hull portion, and the sliding surface The at least one retractable suspension device is in contact with the vehicle body such that the at least one retractable suspension device is located outside the hull portion at a vehicle support position; and An elongate suspension upright extending from above the running surface to a wheel mount position, wherein the suspension assembly is lockable in a spaced relationship from the hull portion and / or the running surface when used on land. And so that the at least one retractable suspension device is accommodated in a retracted position and a vehicle support position. No cutouts, irregular shapes, or discontinuities are required for the sliding surface, and the at least one retractable suspension device provides movement from a vehicle support position to a retracted position above the waterline. The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising storage means connected to at least a part of a region facing the inboard side of the vehicle body and the retractable suspension device . 21. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 19 , wherein the suspension assembly is configured to be lockable without contacting the hull portion and / or the sliding surface . 21. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 19 or 20 , wherein the retractable suspension device comprises a double wishbone configuration that provides a connection of the vehicle body and an elongated suspension upright in two vertically spaced positions at a vehicle support position. . A vehicle body that includes a hull portion that does not include a notch, an irregular shape, or a discontinuity in the sliding surface for contact with water during use on the water, which has the effect of adversely changing the hydrodynamics of the hull portion;
At least one retractable suspension device movable from a vehicle support position to a retracted position;
The at least one retractable suspension device is connected to the vehicle body such that the at least one retractable suspension device is located outside the hull portion at a vehicle support position; and
An elongated suspension upright extending from above the running surface to the wheel mount position;
Movable with the retractable suspension device and connecting steering input from a user of the amphibious vehicle with one or more rotatable couplings of the suspension device to effect steering of the amphibious vehicle; And a steering device that can
No notch, irregular shape, or discontinuity is required in the sliding surface to accommodate the at least one retractable suspension device and steering device in a retracted position and a vehicle support position;
The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 21 . 23. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 22 , wherein the amphibious vehicle is configured to put a user on the amphibious vehicle in a manner like riding . 24. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 22 or 23 , wherein the steering device includes a handlebar arrangement for receiving a steering input of a user . The retractable suspension device includes a pivot connection to the vehicle body that allows the elongated suspension upright to rotate laterally with respect to the ground to provide steering of a wheel that is attachable to the wheel mount. The amphibious vehicle according to any one of claims 22 to 24 .